Legionella Testing Services UK | UKAS Accredited Analysis | PTS
Effective management of Legionella risks in water systems is a critical responsibility for building operators across the UK. While a thorough Legionella Risk Assessment and robust control measures form the foundation of compliance, Legionella testing plays a vital role as a monitoring tool. It involves taking water samples and having them analysed by a laboratory to detect the presence and concentration of Legionella bacteria. Pipe Testing Services (PTS) provides expert water sampling services throughout the UK, utilising trained technicians and independent UKAS-accredited laboratories to deliver reliable results and clear interpretation.
It’s important to understand that Legionella sampling is part of a wider control strategy. Testing verifies that your control measures, such as temperature regimes or biocide treatments, are working effectively. It also helps in monitoring specific high-risk systems or investigating potential issues. However, testing does not replace the need for a comprehensive risk assessment or consistent application of primary control measures.
When is Legionella Testing Recommended?
The HSE’s ACOP L8 and associated guidance (HSG274) outline specific circumstances where Legionella testing is strongly recommended or required as part of the monitoring regime. Relying solely on routine testing without a proper risk assessment and control scheme is not sufficient for compliance. PTS recommends sampling in line with current guidance, which typically includes:
- Cooling Towers: Regular quarterly testing is mandated by HSG274 Part 1 due to the high risks associated with these systems. More frequent testing may be needed if issues arise.
- Hot & Cold Water Systems: Testing is advised where the Legionella Risk Assessment identifies particular risks, or where routine monitoring shows control parameters (like temperature) are not consistently being met (e.g., hot water below 50°C at outlets, cold water above 20°C).
- Verification of Disinfection: Following system disinfection (e.g., using Chlorination Services), sampling is often recommended to confirm the procedure's effectiveness.
- High-Risk Premises: Healthcare facilities, care homes, and environments with highly susceptible occupants often require more frequent monitoring, including testing, as advised by specific guidance like HTM 04-01.
- Investigation: Sampling is crucial during investigations into suspected cases or outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease linked to a specific water system.
- Process Water Systems: Certain industrial systems identified as high risk may also warrant routine monitoring.
The PTS Legionella Sampling & Testing Process
Achieving accurate and meaningful results depends heavily on correct sampling procedures and accredited laboratory analysis. PTS ensures both through our meticulous process:
1. Competent Sampling by Trained Technicians
Simply collecting water isn’t enough. Our technicians are trained in correct sampling techniques according to BS 7592 standards. This includes:
* Using sterile sample bottles containing sodium thiosulphate to neutralise any disinfectant present.
* Employing aseptic techniques to prevent cross-contamination during collection.
* Selecting appropriate sample points identified in the risk assessment (e.g., incoming mains, cold tanks, calorifier bases/returns, representative sentinel outlets, specific high-risk outlets like showers).
* Implementing correct flushing procedures (pre-flush samples often reflect system condition, post-flush reflects water quality reaching the outlet).
* Ensuring samples are labelled correctly and transported promptly to the laboratory under appropriate conditions.
2. Independent UKAS Accredited Laboratory Analysis
PTS utilises independent laboratories accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) for Legionella analysis. This ensures impartiality and guarantees the laboratory operates to the highest quality standards using validated methods, typically the culture method (ISO 11731). The laboratory identifies Legionella species present (importantly Legionella pneumophila) and provides a quantitative count, usually expressed in Colony Forming Units per litre (CFU/L).
3. Clear Reporting & Expert Interpretation
Upon receiving the UKAS certificate, PTS provides you with the results along with our expert interpretation. Understanding the CFU/L count requires context. Action levels suggested in HSG274 guidance depend on the type of system (e.g., different levels apply for cooling towers vs. hot/cold water systems). We explain what the results mean for your specific water system and advise whether immediate action, such as Legionella Remedial Works, review of control measures, or further monitoring is required.
Why Choose PTS for
Legionella Sampling & Testing?
When undertaking Legionella water sampling, choosing a competent provider is essential for obtaining reliable data to manage risks effectively. PTS offers significant advantages: our technicians are rigorously trained in sampling protocols (BS 7592), ensuring the sample integrity required for accurate analysis. We maintain impartiality and guarantee high standards by exclusively using independent UKAS-accredited laboratories for all Legionella testing.
Critically, we don’t just forward a lab certificate. Our experienced consultants provide context and expert interpretation of the results based on ACOP L8, HSG274, and your specific water system’s risk profile. This ensures you understand the implications and can take appropriate, proportionate action. Furthermore, our testing services integrate seamlessly with our Legionella Risk Assessment and Remedial Works capabilities, offering a complete water hygiene management solution from a single, reliable provider with nationwide UK coverage.
Contact PTS for Reliable Legionella Testing Services
Verify the effectiveness of your Legionella control measures with expert water sampling and UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis from Pipe Testing Services.
Contact our water hygiene team today to discuss your testing requirements or schedule sample collection:
- Phone: 01922 451646
- Email: enquiries@legionellatestingservices.co.uk
- Address: Unit 27 Birchbrook Industrial Estate, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 0DJ
Partner with PTS for compliant, accurate, and expertly interpreted Legionella testing across the UK.
Legionella Testing FAQs
Routine testing isn’t legally mandated for all water systems. However, ACOP L8 requires you to manage risk. Testing is specifically recommended or required by HSE guidance (HSG274) in certain circumstances (e.g., cooling towers, when control measures fail, healthcare) as part of demonstrating effective control. Your Legionella Risk Assessment should determine if testing is needed for your specific system.
UKAS accreditation means the laboratory has been independently audited and verified to meet strict international standards (ISO 17025) for competence, impartiality, and performance capability specifically for the tests they conduct (like Legionella culture). Using UKAS labs provides confidence in the reliability of the results.
Results are interpreted based on HSE guidance (HSG274). Generally, very low counts might indicate controls are working. Higher counts trigger specific action levels – requiring review of controls, immediate implementation of corrective actions like disinfection, and potentially further remedial works. PTS will explain the action levels relevant to your system type.
The standard culture method used by UKAS labs requires an incubation period. Results typically take 10-14 days from sample receipt by the laboratory.
While rapid test kits exist, they often only detect specific types (e.g., Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1) and may not provide a quantitative count suitable for comparison with HSG274 action levels. For compliance monitoring and demonstrating due diligence, sampling by trained personnel and analysis by a UKAS-accredited laboratory using the culture method remains the recommended standard in the UK.